Who are you and what do you do?
I am a Chartered Accountant in Bristol. after 10+ years experience working in Practice, I am currently working on the launch of my own firm with a difference! A new age Practice providing not only Accounts & Tax services to SME’s, but also Cloud Accounting services, Business Advisory services and also advice as to how to streamline your business functions & systems with available tech.
How have you found your start-up journey so far?
I am yet to launch, but due to the way I have structured the Practice, it should be a lot smoother start-up than it would have been 10 years ago. With Cloud Accounting and other FinTech available now, I am able to avoid desktop software costs, office costs and other historically large expenses.
What do you listen to whilst you work?
Usually my daily mix from Spotify, or something acoustic to help me concentrate!
What drives you to get up in the morning?
From an early age I loved business. Anything business related. From 14/15 years old I started my first business, and since that, it is what my life revolves around. My own as well as helping others!
What three things can’t you live without?
Coffee!…….My laptop……wifi…(feel like I should have mentioned my family?!)
What’s your best time-saving trick?
Delegate! When you can, delegating is the best way. I found it very difficult to delegate to begin with, but once I learnt to trust people around me, it has been a massive time saver!
What have you learnt that you’d like others to know?
Trust your instincts and abilities. From previous Practices I have worked at, my young age held me back in the eyes of others. I became a Chartered Accountant at just 23. The following 2 years saw me fighting to be heard and taken seriously, and sometimes, I felt that perhaps I did have a long way to go before I can be a “Manager”. However, I knew I had more in me, and so fought to prove myself and eventually did! Yes I have a LOT more to learn, but we all do. You will never stop learning….but that doesn’t mean you aren’t capable of big things now, no matter what your age is!
Where do you see yourself and your business in 12 months?
Hopefully I would have launched my firm, and would be celebrating a successful first year!
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Take your time and don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you have people with age and experience around you, use it. It doesn’t make you weak!
Fill in the blank. I’d like to see ___ answer these same questions!
Alan Sugar
